[Atmob-discuss] Observatory Help

[Paul A. Valleli]

John,
My shed was a Dutch Gambrel design - not good for
heavy snows. I should have built an A-Frame with
steep pitch. The roof was modified for an 80 lb per
sq. ft snow load  as required by the Town Building
Code by adding steel channels. They are for sale
cheap along with the rails for anyone who wants to
haul them away. They have to be de-rusted before
repainting.
The A-frame poses more problems for sky obscuration
- get out the trig tables. Most towns have a 15 ft.
rear setback where no construction can occur. I put
the shed 25 ft. inside the line so the rails and
piers would not intrude on the buffer zone. My
neighbors have tall trees so an A-frame would not be
a problem with sky obscuration but I rolled off to
the East. Most obs. roll off to the North so that
any circumpolar constellations will be visible in
later months. Important to see Polaris. 
Some towns might allow concrete blocks under the
piers near the property line if they are not
anchored but this will result in frost heaving and
may distort or jam the roof.
We do not grease the rails at Ed Knight Obs,
McGregor Obs. at Stellafane, or my own rails as they
used ball bearing rollers. 
The rails were out of the way opposite the obs.
entry door so I did not have to fence them but I did
hit my head several times.
The ObservaDome sheds snow very nicely, especially
if it is windy.
Paul 
 
 
---- Original message ----

  Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:55:16 -0500
  From: "Wendler, John" <jwendler at harris.com>
  Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] Observatory Help
  To: "Mario Motta"
  <mmotta at massmed.org>,<primeaub at gmail.com>
  Cc: Atmob-discuss at atmob.org

  Some engineering trades to think about on the roll
  off....
   
  1)  Will the peak of the (rolled off) roof obscure
  an
  important portion of the sky for you?
  2) Do you have the space behind your proposed
  observatory to accomodate the length of the rolled
  off roof?
  3) Can you shield the tracks so that your guests
  do not
  lean against them and get track grease on their
  clothes?
   
  Sorry - I do not have direct experience with
  domes.
   
  JPW

  John P. Wendler,
  PE
   
  Sr.
  Principal Engineer
  Harris Corporation
  1011 Pawtucket Blvd - Dock 4

  Lowell, MA 01853

   
  (O) 978-442-4822
  (F) 978-442-4239
  (M) 978-729-3040
  (New)

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  ------------------------------------------------

  From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org
  [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf
  Of Mario
  Motta
  Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 11:43 AM
  To:
  primeaub at gmail.com
  Cc: Atmob-discuss at atmob.org
  Subject: Re:
  [Atmob-discuss] Observatory Help
  hey, whats wrong with a large dome? I take insult
  here!
   
  Actually, there is no right or wrong answer. You
  need to decide how you are
  going to use it, what you will put in it, and
  location, then decide. For me.. I
  want to block wind and frequently image, and.. my
  scope barely fits in my dome,
  so.. large it is.
  If wind not a problem (you live in NH, so I assume
  you know about winter),
  and you prefer open sky viewing, have large groups
  (eg our ATMOB site) or plan
  more than one scope, roll off better. If you do
  lots of imaging, like to block
  wind, don't mind a open slit view of the sky, then
  dome better. think about your
  actual use, then pick,
   
  Mario Motta

  On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 8:03 PM,
  primeaub at gmail.com <primeaub at gmail.com> wrote:

    Greetings!

    At
    the last meeting I announced I had the pleasure
    - and terror - of putting an
    observatory in on a dark sky site in northern
    NH.  

    I'd love to
    hear everyone's experiences.  Roll-off or dome?
     What really is good
    out there?  What is indispensible and what
    causes problems?

    I
    only have 3 ideas so far... 1)  must have warm
    room, 2) must fit my 12"
    lx200, and 3) it will NOT be as large as the one
    Mario showed off at the
    meeting!

    Thanks...I can be reached at
    bprimeau at comcast.net.
     

    Brian
    Primeau

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